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From Trash to Treasure

After our scenic drive through the Alpine National Park, we arrived at the tiny township of Mitta Mitta, home to 31 permanent residents. When Glen asked the manager if there was free Wi-Fi for our phones he laughed and said, “You’ll be lucky to get a TV channel let alone any phone reception.” It was going to be a quiet night.

With a couple of free hours before the sun set, we went for a walk beside the Mitta Mitta River. In the shallows, the water bubbled over the rocky riverbed while on the broad bends the surface was calmer, mirroring the evergreen eucalypts and bare-branched poplars on the river bank.

Kookaburras perched high in a gum tree greeted us, their raucous laugh breaking the silence.

Just as we were thinking Mitta Mitta must be the sleepiest town in Australia we came across some evidence which proved us wrong. Spaced along the grassy path were sculptures, all composed of bits and pieces, discarded scrap metal and household items past their use-by date. The plaque accompanying each piece told us these were all previous entrants in the Bushcraft Sculpture competition at the Mighty Mitta Muster.

We discovered we’d come to Mitta Mitta at the wrong time of year. Every March, the muster attracts thousands of visitors to the little town. Typical country events include a rodeo, wood chop, tug of war and whip cracking, along with craft stalls, horse and dog competitions, athletics and a fun run.

What a surprise to have stumbled upon these quirky sculptures. It’s great the town comes to life for this festival every March. I bet if you had come then, you’d have had a whole different experience. I love the quieter discoveries myself, though. 🙂

You should google kookaburras and find a video of their laugh. It’s quite unique. They actually use it as a warning to other birds to stay away. This trip in on the home run now. Glad you’re still enjoying it.

It was so peaceful down on the river. There was one other family with a little girl who was having the time of her life wading in the shallows. The water was freezing but she didn’t seem to mind. Have a wonderful holiday.

Now that sounds like my kind of town! One weekend of bustling fun and lovely solitude for the rest of the year. The sculptures are innovative and fun and the river, serene. Great shot of the perky kookaburra!

Love the kookaburras. Am reminded of a song “kookaburra sits in the old gum tree… merry merry king of the bush is he…!” Something we used to sing as kids. Love the sculptures as I generally prefer to see sculptures outside in nature than inside in a museum.

Gosh I must have driven so close to this place on several occasions and still doesn’t ring any bells – there must be a great satisfaction in finding out such a quirky fact about this sleepy little town!